Cover Story
What’s it all mean?
Thank God it’s over. That’s probably a common sentiment regarding what for many was a long, miserable, and drawn-out election season. Liberals and progressives are glad the horror of the national election results has past, and conservatives—and many independents, it turns out—feel something finally went their way. But what did it all mean? Do the…
Cupcake 2009 Chardonnay Central Coast
This fruity Chard is perfect for bargain hunters, but it’s a good choice no matter what size your budget. Easy sipping for its fragrant autumn fruit, citrus, and spice notes, it’s simple but nicely balanced and food friendly. Try it with sushi rolls topped with creamy sauces, clam pizza, or deli chicken, but not with…
CLUBS
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Stephanie Wells
Cayucos Veteran’s Hall NEW TIMES How did the Cayucos Wine and Food Festival start? WELLS We started the festival in November of 2005. Since then, it has grown continuously over the years as the amount of wineries and their popularity has grown. The event has gained so much of a name for itself that some…
Don’t like it? Raise your voice!
Karl Rove and the same dirty old gang just bought a big chunk of Congress. They had to move fast before Obama and a Democrat-majority Congress could legislate disclosure requirements for campaign contributions. Now it’s too late. Everyone who does not like this version of democracy had better start speaking up and getting together. Kathleen…
Don’t like it? Raise your voice!
Karl Rove and the same dirty old gang just bought a big chunk of Congress. They had to move fast before Obama and a Democrat-majority Congress could legislate disclosure requirements for campaign contributions. Now it’s too late. Everyone who does not like this version of democracy had better start speaking up and getting together. Kathleen…
Thanks for voting me mayor
Thank you, San Luis Obispo voters, for electing me mayor. I am especially grateful to the more than 400 grassroots volunteers and donors who enabled my campaign to succeed, even without the infusion of substantial outside financing by a political action committee. Like other heated contests in California, this race demonstrated that simply having more…
Take my card where it counts
I recently had the occasion to go to a physician’s office; I was required to show a picture identification before I could see the physician—even though I had been seeing this physician for years and was known by my first name. I was required to show my driver’s license before cashing a check at a…
We can’t afford this war
What are we doing in Afghanistan? I mean, really? Wasting billions of U.S. tax dollars and thousands of lives—for what? Yes, I support our troops; bring them home to their families before any more blood is shed. Osama bin Laden be damned! We need our men and women here at home, with jobs. The most…
These are your next four years
The voters don’t know what they have done by electing Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom. Most voters are too young or were not here or don’t remember what Brown, his family, and his cronies like Rose Bird did to this state. Prepare yourself for the following: Destruction of Proposition 13, rampant crime with no executions,…
Thanks for voting me the badge
Thank you, residents of San Luis Obispo County, for electing me to serve as your new sheriff! I am keenly aware of the trust you have placed in me and will work diligently to continue to earn that trust each day I am in office. Thank you also to the many volunteers, donors, and supporters…
Anybody seen Jack Nicholson?
So the Paso Robles water basin is almost empty. That might explain why the water that belongs to the city of San Luis Obispo in the Salinas Reservoir was diverted last winter while the Whale Rock Reservoir remained deficient. I hope the ratepayers in SLO Town are satisfied with the charitable contribution of their government…
I don’t think nuclear will stop with line-drying
While I agree with the spirit of Roger Cleary’s Nov. 11 letter on energy efficiency (“Use common sense for heating and cooling”), I have yet to find data to support his claim that line-drying laundry would allow the closure of all U.S. nuclear power stations. This is not the first time this comparison has found…
Stretch before you write your next column, Lichtig
In her self-congratulatory puff piece (“Times are tough, but SLO is well-prepared,” Nov. 11), SLO City Manager Katie Lichtig outlines the ways her administration is belt-tightening during these tough economic times. One “success” she lauds is the cutting of “26.8 full-time equivalent positions through attrition.” Lichtig, who makes almost one-third million dollars a year in…
Bush, like all U.S. presidents, deserves respect
I came to your site to read the article “Is Paso basin tapped?” (Nov. 11) by Colin Rigley and noticed your Reader Poll regarding President Bush’s book Decision Points. Please consider offering legitimate polls with serious choices to your readers in order to appeal to a wide range of readers. Most of the choices that…
See that 500-pound gorilla?
We are a small-town coffee klatch: One guy is a tea bagger, two others are very conservative Republicans. Two are moderate something-or-others, and I am the lone progressive. We are talking about the federal budget deficit and the burgeoning national debt. We all agree something has to be done, and it would be immoral to…
Ortman 2009 Chardonnay Central Coast O2 Series
This refreshing and flavorful Chardonnay really impressed me. It offers a delicious array of juicy pear and tangy apples, perfectly balanced by subtle notes of citrus, spice, and vanilla. It’s perfect for the holiday season, or anytime you crave a great glass of Chard. I’d serve this with everything from Dungeness crab and lobster to…
Stop by a wine shop made new
Central Coast Wines on Higuera in San Luis Obispo has been dedicated to promoting the Central Coast’s fine wines for more than a decade. Vaughn and Sasha Taus founded the shop; two years ago, they sold it to Bob and Dianna Ritchie, formerly of Arizona. Interestingly, the Ritchies were vacationing here when they bought the…
The crimson clogs
Did you know New Times’ “Blast from the Past” columnist Bryce Wilson holds a regular, free film screening at the SLO Library? I didn’t, until a release advertising Saturday’s 2 p.m. classic Technicolor movie screening shocked me with these words: “the film title cannot be released outside the library due to contractual agreements.” However, if…
Shine on me!
I don’t know how I could possibly top last year’s interview with Gary Busey during the Paso Digital Film Festival. I mean, the man is larger than life and totally nuts! Plus, I got to meet and flirt lamely with Kathleen Quinlan. Still, I’m going to try on Sunday, Nov. 21, during a 1 p.m.…
If you could domesticate any animal, what would it be?
Martin Rusanovsky student “An elephant, because they are big and intimidating.” Melanie LaFreniere retail manager “A jaguar, because they are gorgeous and exotic. It could also be my guardian and protect my Chihuahua.” Kyle Cuzick student “I would tame a bull. I’ve been raised around them my whole life, and they are really a different…
Cowpokes lost in cyberspace
Being a creature of severely limited attention span, I just don’t know how to feel about the third annual Paso Robles Digital Film Festival (known as PRDFF, PDFF, or Wild West Virtual Film Fest, depending on who you ask and what mood they’re in). On one hand, the festival sounds like a super event, tucked…
‘Let It Flow’
If you don’t consider Dave Mason a rock icon, well then, “We Just Disagree.” Remember that song? That was Mason’s 1977 solo hit, but the British performer got his start with Traffic (he wrote their classic hit “Feelin’ Alright”), and in his early career he played with acts such as Jimi Hendrix (his close friend…
When you can’t be there …
SLO Town was the first to ban smoking outdoors, the first to make bird feeding a misdemeanor, and the first place you could pee into a waterfall indoors. That’s why it’s no surprise it’s the first city with gottasend.com, the awesome new app that lets you send and receive drinks by web-accessible mobile phone and…
Strictly factual
OK, let’s get this out of the way first. Whoops. Sorry. I goofed. You know, mea culpa and all that jazz. The morning of Nov. 11 when my column hit the streets I realized I flubbed a few details. I said Stan Saylor was elected as house majority whip, overtaking Republican rising star Rep. Kevin…
Once upon a time …
Just when you thought the world of fairytale hijinks couldn’t get tougher, Jack and his beanstalk are on the chopping block. As are Miss Muffet. And her tuffet. In all, the San Luis Obispo County Library system has more than 150,000 items in its children’s section, and 1,500 of these books are under review. If…
Bringing down the house?
Andrew Adams sits back in his chair on the wood front porch of his popular restaurant, wrings his freckled hands, and shakes his head in disbelief as he recounts his prolonged struggle with the business’ surrounding neighbors. “These people have tried for years to harm me, and I’m tired of it,” Adams said, raising his…
CSU to raise student fees 15 percent
The cash-strapped California State University system has—no surprise here—voted once again to raise student fees an additional 15 percent by fall 2011. On Nov. 3, the Board of Trustees Committee on Finance approved a double fee-hike on students: a five percent increase effective Jan. 1, 2011, and another 10 percent increase starting the following fall…
SLO city unions agree to one-year contracts; cops hold out
The San Luis Obispo City Council approved one-year agreements after meeting with four of the city’s labor groups at its Nov. 16 meeting. The labor groups agreed to forego cost of living increases and increases to the city’s health contribution on behalf of employees. But harmony and peace didn’t win out on all counts: The…
County union negotiations lead to agreements
Two of San Luis Obispo County’s more powerful unions have reached tentative agreements over their pay and benefits packages for the coming year. As of this printing, the 1,600 members of the largest county union, the San Luis Obispo County Employees’ Association (SLOCEA), were voting on the tentative agreement reached in early November. A simple…
SLO council increases parking fines
The San Luis Obispo City Council increased parking fines by $3, bringing the standard parking ticket to $33. The new fine hike is on top of the 50 percent raise to parking fees passed by the council last year. The City Council had little choice in the matter; the $3 increase is a state-mandated charge.…
Congressman McCarthy’s moving on up …
Local Congressman Kevin McCarthy was set to be elected as majority whip for the newly elected House of Representatives, making him the third most powerful Republican in the House leadership. McCarthy, whose 22nd Congressional District covers much of northern San Luis Obispo County and parts of Kern County—including much of Bakersfield—ran unopposed for the leadership…
New SLO bike path set to open in January
SLO bicyclists, rejoice! A new path will soon be open for your pedaling pleasure, and city officials are hoping the route will cut down on vehicle and pedestrian traffic—as well as vehicle emissions—in town. The Madonna Inn Bike Path will provide car-free access from the downtown area of San Luis Obispo via the Marsh Street/Highway…
